Holmwood’s legacy is still alive, says coach

They have gone over a decade since their last girls’ title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, but Holmwood Technical’s head coach, Dave Anderson, says the school’s indomitable spirit of the past still lives on.

Anderson, who had been a part of the coaching staff during Holmwood’s dominant years, stated that the team has not lost their champions mentality, and the legacy of their gloried past still lives on to this day.

Anderson explained that the athletes are aware of the school’s reputation, and are working hard to bring Holmwood back to the top.

“We would have shared with them our past, our experiences, our history, and, of course, the persons who would have done well and set the way for us to win some of the championships of the past,” he said. “So they know the culture well, they know the rich history of the team, so they have been reminded that they have a reputation to protect. So I hope that they stay mentally focused on the task ahead and we’ll see, as the time goes by, how best we can get back to the top.”

Anderson said his team has been growing in strength as they continue to prepare for Champs, and he is expecting solid performances across all the classes.

While acknowledging Holmwood’s continued strength in the middle and long distances, he is expecting Kiara Meikle to make a massive splash in the sprint hurdles.

Meikle was a standout for Holmwood last year, but injuries saw the hurdler underperforming at Champs and missing out on a medal in the girls’ Class Two 100m hurdles.

“What I can say that in all the classes, there are persons who are showing their quality right across the events. Basically, our main strength over the years would have been the long and middle distances. We are still very strong there but I’ve seen some persons coming forward in the sprints and hurdles, specifically Kiara Meikle, who comes to mind.

“I would say that our team is young and we’re getting there little by little and I am pleased, so far, that a majority of the athletes are healthy,” Anderson said.

With Holmwood’s last title being in 2013, Anderson understands that there is mounting expectation for the team to claim the girls’ title.

However, he understands what it would take before Holmwood can become champions again, and while this young squad might not be genuine title contenders this year, he expects that they will fight for one of the top three places.

“I wouldn’t say pressure, but it’s a responsibility, and it’s one of our goals to try to get back on top. I would have been there throughout those successful years, so I know what it takes to win a championship; but there is no pressure. I think we have a young team. The kids are working very hard, they are committed to the task and I think, so far, at the various meets, we’ve seen improvements every week. I can’t say in terms of this year where we will fall, but we’re hoping to be at least as close to the top as possible.”